The Best Places to Retire in Europe 2019

Europe has hundreds, if not thousands, of potential retirement destinations out there, but finding the best one for your own personal needs can be difficult.

It all depends on the different characteristics you are looking for in a retirement destination. Are you looking for adventure or relaxation? Fortunately, Europe has so much to offer that there is something for everyone, no matter how fussy you are.

The following destinations are a mix of some of the most popular locations for expat retirees.

Basel, Switzerland

Expatriate Healthcare compiled a list of some of the 10 best cities to live in and Basel, Switzerland was one of the top candidates. If you're looking for a place with amazing views, deep history and world-renowned art, then this Swiss city is definitely one to consider. Basel is currently home to around 40 different museums and proudly displays some of the country's most impressive architectural feats.

One of the additional advantages of selecting Basel is that Switzerland currently holds a tax haven status. The low tax levels mean that your pension funds will probably go further here than they might do in other countries.

On the other hand, expats planning to continue working part-time during their retirement should note that finding a job here can sometimes be a lengthy and difficult process.

If you are simply looking for somewhere to escape from cold weather then Algarve is probably going to be the perfect destination. Life here is almost like being on a permanent holiday. The location of Algarve is positioned perfectly, receiving glorious weather for much of the year thanks to the Gulf Stream, in total Algarve gets around 3,300 hours of sunshine every year. To put that into perspective, the UK receives around 1,400 hours of sunshine per year.

Not only that, but Portugal as a whole maintains fairly low prices compared to a lot of Europe and the combination of this and its fantastic weather makes Algarve home to some of the world's best beaches and golf courses.

Bologna, Italy

If you are looking for somewhere with culture, music and amazing food, then Bologna should definitely be on your list of potential retirement destinations. Named the Capital of Culture in 2000 and City of Music in 2006, Bologna attracts tourists and expats from all over the world.

Due to the sheer number of aspiring musicians, Bologna is one of the only cities in Europe that enforces an organised schedule for street performers. There are a number of different spots across the city centre specifically chosen that musicians can take in turns to use. The result is that you can hear a variety of beautiful music no matter where you travel.

Out door restaurants are common here and come complete with famous traditional Italian cuisine, perfect for anybody that wants to sit and relax with a friend, loved one or a good book.

Vienna, Austria

Vienna is many people's ideal retirement destination; the slow-paced culture is incredibly relaxing. If you are looking for somewhere peaceful to put whatever previously busy life you used to have behind you, then you should probably have Vienna at the top of your priority list.

With beautiful architecture, clean streets and serene natural beauty, Vienna seems to have an allure that can be matched by very few other European cities. Even a short journey outside of the city can present you with gorgeous views of towering snow peaked mountains. Christmas here can be described as magical, a true winter wonderland.

The only significant downside many expats are put off by the high prices. Life here is certainly not cheap and you are probably going to need a decently sized pension backing you to consider a long-term stay in Vienna.

Occitanie, France

There is a good reason that so many popular films and books reference retiring in the south of France. It has everything you need to relax, at cheap prices and that's the reason why the entire region has been included, rather than just an individual city.

The entire region is covered from top to bottom in vineyards, beautiful landscapes and spectacular architecture. So it is little surprise that many people are attracted to the area for its food and drink, Occitanie, in particular, has been described as France's best kept wine-soaked secret.

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